Stabilizer training wheel with integral suspension

ABSTRACT

This invention is a single-piece side wheel attachment member for removably attaching an auxiliary side wheel to a bicycle. The attachment member comprises a single-piece molded structure, including an upper vertical portion and a lower substantially horizontal spindle portion connected to said vertical portion through a C-shape compliant structure for allowing said spindle portion to move vertically when subjected to force. In its natural unbiased condition, the vertical and horizontal portions of the member extend generally perpendicular to one another. The upper vertical portion includes a projection and at least one through-hole for insertion on the rear wheel axle of the bicycle. The horizontal spindle portion is rotatably engaged by the auxiliary side wheel, therefore acting as its axle. Both ends of the attachment member can angularly move relative to one another due to the C-shape compliant structure. The novelty of this invention resides in the structural simplicity of the side wheel attachment member which is, as previously stated, constructed from a single piece of material molded into a C-shape compliant structure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to attachments for a bicycle, and moreparticularly to a training wheel assembly or an auxiliary wheel assemblythat controls dynamic lateral instability when using the bicycle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of a pair of auxiliary side wheels that are to be removablyattached on or over the rear axle of a bicycle to control its dynamiclateral instability is well known in the art. The ground stability ofbicycles is dynamically enhanced by increased vehicle speed. However,the lateral stability of the bicycle is difficult to maintain at lowvehicle speeds, particularly for children and other personsinexperienced in the art of bicycle riding. These side wheels are mostoften used with children who are learning the basics of riding a bicycleand who still cannot develop sufficient lateral stability when ridingtheir bicycle for the first few times.

Several auxiliary side wheels that exist have the problem of comprisingrigid attachment means for linking them to a conventional bicycle. Suchrigid attachment means prove to be disadvantageous in severalsituations. For example, the unevenness of the ground will often resultin one of the side wheels being raised above the ground level of therest of the bicycle wheels, including the opposite side wheel, andtherefore not stabilizing the bicycle as it is supposed to. In othercases, the rear bicycle wheel could be elevated with respect to groundlevel, the rider then losing propulsion capability temporarily.Furthermore, when the rider enters a turn, the lateral stability of thebicycle will again be compromised, as the bicycle will not be able toincline itself properly because of the side wheel's rigid attachment.

The above-described problem has been resolved through a few patents thatinclude suspension means between the bicycle and the auxiliary wheels.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,354 issued to RAINEY in 1996 shows training wheelsmounted at the end of a coil spring fitted on each side of the rearbicycle wheel axle. The axes of the coil springs are in line withrespect to each other and are located with an offset below and parallelto the rear wheel axle. Thus the training wheels can be pulled backwardagainst the action of the spring even though the coil spring allowstheir upward movement. Consequently, a drawback of the apparatusdisclosed by RAINEY is that friction resulting from uneven terrain maycause one of the two auxiliary wheels to be pulled backwards, and thusresist forward movement making the bicycle turn inadvertently.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,450,979 issued to MOLLER in 1948 discloses another coilspring suspension system for mounting to an auxiliary wheel assembly ona bicycle rear wheel axle. A L-shaped bracket interconnecting both axleskeeps the auxiliary wheel axle downwardly offset from the bicyclegearwheel axle. An upwardly inclined, adjustable length coil springmember movably interconnects the hub of the auxiliary wheel to thebicycle rear wheel axle. The MOLLER apparatus would be expensive tomanufacture and susceptible to damage because of its numerous separatecomponents.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,793,877 issued to MEIER in 1957 shows an apparatus whichuses a generally L-shaped flat spring blade to mount an auxiliary wheelto a location near the rear bicycle rear wheel. The vertical leg of theL-spring blade and that of a second, rigid L-blade are anchored to thebicycle rear wheel axle. An adjustable length vertical member movablyconnects the transverse leg of the rigid blade overlying the transversewheel axle leg of the flexible blade to the latter flexible blade. Therelative angular play between the auxiliary wheel axle and the bicyclerear wheel axle is quite limited with this apparatus, since theauxiliary wheel axle motion is limited to a downward motion relative tothe horizontal leg of the rigid L-blade which remains parallel to thebicycle rear wheel axle. In order to prevent travel of the blade springin a horizontal plane either forward or backward, a second rigid bladeand legs are required when using the blade spring.

In all of the above noted patents, the auxiliary wheels are functional,but they are complicated at different levels in that they either requirea plurality of parts for installing the side wheels on the bicycle (e.g.brackets, spindles, springs, etc.) or additional manufacturingrequirements when a single structural part is used which increase thecost of manufacturing the product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide an auxiliary wheel assemblyfor a bicycle which will stabilize the bicycle in a generally verticalposition, particularly at low speed.

It is another object of this invention that the auxiliary wheel assemblycomprising a single C-shape compliant structure attachment means toallow an almost constant contact of each of the two auxiliary wheels tothe ground. It is an important object of this invention to provideattachment means for removably attaching side wheels on the bicycle,that are simple and can be easily installed on—and removed from—thebicycle.

It is yet another object that the attachment means for removablyattaching the side wheels to the bicycle consist of a single structuralpart.

An important feature of the invention is to provide an auxiliary wheelassembly for a bicycle, which will include a C-shape compliant structuremeans enabling upward angular adjustment of the auxiliary wheelsrelative to the bicycle main rear wheel.

Another important feature of the invention is to increase the safety inthe use of bicycles fitted with such auxiliary side wheels.

Another feature of the invention is its simplicity of installation.

In accordance with the objects of the invention, there is provided asingle-piece attachment member to be fitted to a rear wheel axle and atine holding said rear wheel of said bicycle for providing lateraldynamic stability of said bicycle, a pair of such single-pieceattachment members adapted to be used concurrently on oppositerespective lateral sides of said rear wheel axle, each said single-pieceattachment member comprising: an upper vertical portion including atleast one through-hole for insertion on said rear wheel axle, and alower substantially horizontal spindle portion connected to saidvertical portion through a C-shape compliant structure for allowing saidspindle portion to move vertically when subjected to force, said spindleportion being substantially parallel to said rear wheel axle, saidC-shape compliant structure having a central axis parallel to thedirection of motion of the bicycle and an opening located at an angle atany point between said vertical portion and said spindle portionrepresenting the shortest angle formed by said portions acting assubstantially perpendicular segments and said C-shape compliantstructure acting as vertex, and further including means for anchoringsaid upper vertical portion to said axle.

Preferably, the attachment member is made of a single piece of molded,shaped or formed material. The spindle portion may naturally extenddownwardly from the horizontal (i.e. more than a 90° angle is madebetween the vertical portion and the spindle portion), in such a waythat, as weight is applied to the auxiliary wheel, the C-shape compliantstructure flexes and the spindle portion moves upwardly towards thehorizontal.

Height adjustment means may also be provided which co-operate with therear wheel axle anchoring means, for varying the vertical distancebetween the rear wheel axle and the spindle portion, to fit bicycles ofvarying wheel sizes. The anchoring means may include a nut memberthreaded onto an axle bolt on the rear wheel axle for fixedly releasablysandwiching the vertical portion of the attachment member against thetine holding the rear wheel axle. The anchoring wheel axle nut may alsocomprise a quick release mechanism. The tip of the spindle portion maybe shaped into a locking means for locking the auxiliary wheel inposition along the spindle portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood by way of the following detaileddescription of a preferred embodiment with reference to the annexeddrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an end view of a bicycle equipped with a pair of auxiliarywheels and wheel attachment means according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a bicycle, with the auxiliary wheel assembly ofFIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are front and side views respectively, of the attachmentmember of the invention comprising a C-shape compliant structure;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the auxiliary wheel assembly wheninstalled on the rear-wheel axle of the bicycle;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view demonstrates how the attachment member can beinstalled on the rear-wheel axle and secured to the axle with a nutmember and showing how the projection of the vertical portion of theattachment member can be inserted in a slot of the tine holding theaxle;

FIG. 7 suggests how the present bicycle suspension provides enhancedbicycle stability;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the bicycle with the auxiliary wheel assemblyof FIG. 1 where the auxiliary wheel assembly is flush with the bottom ofthe rear wheel;

FIG. 9 is an end view of a bicycle equipment with a pair of auxiliarywheels;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an attachment member according toanother embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a rear view thereof;

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the attachment member showing a clip forfastening the attachment member to the bicycle;

FIG. 13 shows a different clip;

FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b) show that the clip can be inserted inside oroutside of the attachment member; and

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a clip according to a preferredembodiment of a clip known in the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a conventional bicycle 10 comprising of a rigid frame12 carrying a rear wheel 14 over ground G by an axle 24.

Bicycle 10 is equipped with a pair of auxiliary side wheels 16, whichare smaller in diameter than rear wheel 14. Wheels 16 are to bepositioned on each side of rear wheel 14. Wheels 16 are to be rotatablymounted on their corresponding auxiliary side wheel attachment members18 which are fixedly and removably anchored to opposite ends of axle 24of bicycle 10. The attachment members 18 comprising of a C-shapecompliant structure 27 therefore link the auxiliary side wheels 16 tobicycle frame 12.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show that the attachment member 18 has an upper verticalportion 20, an intermediate C-shape compliant structure 27 and a lowerhorizontal auxiliary wheel spindle end portion 28. As shown in FIG. 4,all elements 18, 20 and 28 are coplanar to each other in an end view,but form in their natural unbiased condition a L-shape in plan view asseen in FIG. 3. Consequently, C-shape compliant structure 27 enablesportions 20 and 28 to move toward or away from each other. FIG. 3 showsthe attachment member 18 in the unloaded or unbiased condition of theC-shape compliant structure 27, where portions 20 and 28 makeapproximately a right angle relative to each other. In the unloadedcondition of FIG. 3, the C-shape compliant structure 27 will yield uponan application of force and enable movement of portions 20 and 28 towardone another, yet will bring portions 20 and 28 to their originalunbiased approximate right angle condition shown in FIG. 3 as soon asthe application of force on portions 20 and/or 28 is removed. C-shapecompliant structure 27 has a central axis parallel to the direction ofmotion of the bicycle and an opening 25 located at an angle at any pointbetween vertical portion 20 and spindle portion 28 representing theshortest angle formed by said portions acting as substantiallyperpendicular segments and said C-shape compliant structure 27 acting asvertex.

It will be appreciated that the C-shape compliant structure 27 can berelatively closed, as shown in FIG. 3, but could be more open, as shownin FIGS. 10 and 11. In such a case, the attachment member 18 is furtherpreferably provided with ribs 51 or fins, which increase the stiffnessof the C-shape compliant structure 27. Thus, the present invention isnot limited to a closed C-shape structure, and any degree of opening isintended to be covered by the present invention. In fact, the angle ofopening of the C-shape structure could be greater than 90° withoutaffecting the way the invention works. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 10and 11 is also provided with a downwardly extending portion 53 to whichthe spindle portion is fixed.

Furthermore, the C-shape structure 27 can be made more or less stiff byremoving material in the C-shape structure 27, as will be apparent to aperson skilled in the art. Thus, the attachment member 18 can be adaptedto the weight of the person using the attachment member 18. A stifferstructure 27 will be used for a heavier person, while a less-stiffstructure 27 will be used for a lighter person.

The attachment member 18 of the present invention is also adapted toprevent torsion of the member 18 to a great degree, which increasessecurity. Thus, should wheel 16 impact an object such as a rock whilethe bicycle is moving forward, the member 18 will resist backwardmovement.

Side wheel attachment member 18 is made from a single piece of materialmolded, formed or shaped to the desired shape. Indeed, the verticalportion 20 and auxiliary wheel horizontal spindle portion 28 integrallyform two extremities for the C-shape compliant structure 27. Therefore,side wheel attachment members 18 can be easily manufactured andinstalled as a result of their structural simplicity.

During installation, vertical portion 20 of attachment member 18 isbrought sideways of bicycle wheel 14, generally parallel thereto, sothat the threaded free end portion 36 a of the bicycle rear wheel axle36 engages through one through-hole 34 manufactured in the verticalportion 20, and laterally exteriorly beyond the plane of the verticalportion 20 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). In order to accommodate different rearwheel 14 diameters, vertical portion 20 may include additionalthrough-holes placed along the length of vertical portion 20 orthrough-holes of different sizes which will be used to adjust the levelof the vertical distance between the rear wheel axle and the horizontalspindle portion 28, which behaves as an axle for the auxiliary wheel. Anut 22 is then screwed on axle end 36 a to fixedly anchor verticalportion 20 transversely to axle 36. A projection 30 in vertical portion20 fits in a slot 40 of tine 38 attached to bicycle frame 12 andprovides additional resistance to external loading for the attachmentmember 18. FIG. 4 illustrates that a narrowing of the vertical portionstructure 35 around the through-hole 34 can be used to match and restagainst the contour of nut 42 located against tine 38 shown in FIG. 6once the attachment member 18 is installed. This also providesadditional resistance to external loading for attachment member 18. Thesimplicity of the design of the attachment member 18 significantlyfacilitates and accelerates the above installation process compared toother types of auxiliary wheel assemblies.

Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 12 to 15, the means for anchoring theattachment member can include a bracket 101 (known in the art) which hasa projection 103 extending through at least one slot 105 formed on atleast one, but preferably both sides of through-hole 34.

Furthermore, bracket 101 can be installed outside (see FIG. 14(b)) orinside (see FIG. 14(a)), as is known in the art. Finally, a prior artbracket 101 having three holes and three projections is known, which canbe used with the present invention attachment member 18.

Each side wheel 16 is rotatably freely mounted on its correspondingspindle portion 28, near its outer end 32, for a proper lever length. Assuggested in FIG. 5, side wheel 16 can be fitted on the outer end 32, bypassing over a compliant structure 44 including tips 44 a and 44 b whichcan be compressed one towards another sufficiently to allow passage ofthe wheel 16 as it is inserted on outer end 32 and which return to anatural unbiased position to retain wheel 16 in place along the lengthof the spindle portion 28 once wheel 16 is in place on auxiliary wheelaxle 46.

In use, the setting of the height of attachment member 18 relative torear wheel 14 can either raise rear wheel 14 slightly above groundlevel, as shown in FIG. 1, while there is no rider loading bicycle 10,or result in having both rear wheel 14 and side wheels 16 in contactwith ground G at all times even without rider loading, as shown in FIGS.8 and 9, depending on user preference. In either case, side wheels 16will be, under most circumstances, in contact with ground G at alltimes. When a rider mounts bicycle 10, C-shape compliant structure 27will yield allowing rear wheel 14 to come in contact with ground G incases where rear wheel 14 is slightly raised above ground level whenbicycle 10 is unloaded. Consequently, this application of force to theC-shape compliant structure 27 will bring vertical portion 20 andspindle portion 28 slightly toward one another to confer a proper amountof downward pressure on wheels 16 for constant contact of the latterwith ground G while rear wheel 14 also remains in contact with ground Gfor propulsion of bicycle 10. If ground level G is uneven, side wheels16 may move upwards and return downwards to compensate for groundunevenness.

The attachment member 18 could be made of a resilient sturdy semi-rigidplastic material or any other suitable resilient material.

Such an auxiliary wheel assembly will increase the safety margin of thebicycle rider, who will therefore feel more confident in his ridingability and should learn faster how to operate and handle the bicycle inorder to eventually use the latter without the auxiliary wheels. Indeed,the attachment member 18, responsively to terrain conditions,automatically performs continuous height adjustments of the auxiliarywheel 16. Such continuous height adjustments are advantageous, both forsafety reasons and for educational goals, as they progressively inducein the lay rider the feel of lateral instability of the bicycle at lowspeeds, while maintaining operating safety margins at comfortablelevels.

Although the present invention has been explained hereinabove by way ofa preferred embodiment thereof, it should be pointed out that anymodifications to this preferred embodiment within the scope of theappended claims is not deemed to alter or change the nature and scope ofthe present invention. For example, the present description has beenmade with reference to using the attachment member 18 with a bicycle,but the attachment member 18 can be used with other structures wherestabilization is required, either temporarily, or permanently.

1. In combination with a bicycle, a single-piece attachment member to befitted to a rear wheel axle and a tine holding said rear wheel of saidbicycle for providing lateral dynamic stability of said bicycle, a pairof such single-piece attachment members adapted to be used concurrentlyon opposite respective lateral sides of said rear wheel axle, each saidsingle-piece attachment member comprising: an upper vertical portionincluding at least one projection and at least one through-hole forinsertion on said rear wheel axle, and a lower substantially horizontalspindle portion connected to said vertical portion through a C-shapecompliant structure for allowing said spindle portion to move verticallywhen subjected to force, said spindle portion being substantiallyparallel to said rear wheel axle, said C-shape compliant structurehaving a central axis parallel to the direction of motion of the bicycleand an opening located at an angle at any point between said verticalportion and said spindle portion representing the shortest angle formedby said portions acting as substantially perpendicular segments and saidC-shape compliant structure acting as vertex and further including meansfor anchoring said upper vertical portion to said axles.
 2. Theattachment member in combination with said bicycle as claimed in claim1, wherein said anchoring means anchor said attachment membertransversely to said rear wheel axle by sandwiching said verticalportion between said anchoring means and said tine of said bicycleholding said rear wheel.
 3. The attachment member in combination withsaid bicycle as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a mounting meansfor an auxiliary wheel at the end of said spindle portion, said meanscomprising a resilient element at the end of said spindle portion wherethe central opening of the wheel is placed over and said wheel is pushedtherethrough, whereby said resilient element is deformed sufficiently toallow passage of said wheel, and, after the wheel is in position, saidresilient element returns to its original position, and retains saidwheel in place on said spindle portion.
 4. The attachment member incombination with said bicycle as claimed in claim 3, wherein saidattachment member is made of a single piece of formed resilientmaterial.
 5. The attachment member in combination with said bicycle asclaimed in claim 2, wherein structure of said vertical portionsurrounding said through-hole narrows to closely follow the contourshape of retention nut means located on said rear wheel axle with saidretention nut placed between said tine and said attachment member oncesaid attachment member is installed.
 6. The combination of claim 5,wherein said upper vertical portion further includes at least oneprojection adapted to be inserted in a slot of said tine.
 7. Asingle-piece attachment member to be fitted on a protrusion of astructure for providing integral static or dynamic suspension to saidstructure, said single-piece attachment member comprising: an uppervertical portion including at least one through-hole for insertion onsaid protrusion, and a lower substantially horizontal portion connectedto said vertical portion through a C-shape compliant structure forallowing said horizontal portion to move vertically when subjected toforce, said horizontal portion being substantially parallel to saidprotrusion, said C-shape compliant structure having a central axisperpendicular to the plane including the vertical portion and horizontalportion, and an opening located at an angle at any point between saidvertical portion and said horizontal portion representing the shortestangle formed by said portions acting as substantially perpendicularsegments and said C-shape compliant structure acting as vertex, andmeans for anchoring said upper vertical portion to said axle.
 8. Asingle piece attachment member according to claim 7, wherein saidstructure is a bicycle.